The report that at least four vehicles parked in different public places in the city were ransacked in just a span of a few hours is indeed alarming. While it should not come as a surprise for a big city like Cebu to frequently experience petty crimes such as these, the alarming thing is the seeming impunity with which the robbers seem to strike.
It appears that robbers have become more brazen. They no longer seem to be deterred by the possibility of being seen considering that the sites of the crimes have been public places -- a farmer's market, two restaurants, a church. Maybe the use of drugs may have driven them to desperation. Maybe the use of drugs may have forced them to overcome their fears.
On the other hand, it is also very possible that they have become so criminally gung ho because of the fact that there are not enough law enforcers -- whether policemen, barangay tanods, or even private security personnel -- to deter the commission of crimes. Maybe there are now simply too many petty criminals for the police to handle. Maybe the police are simply not around.
To be sure, the vehicle owners, judging by the kind of items they lost to the burglars, are not entirely blameless. They left very inviting items inside their cars, mostly electronic gadgets that are not only expensive but also very easy to dispose of. The situation is just like leaving food on the table for the cat to filh. The cat is not entirely to blame if you leave something for the taking.
The police cannot just keep on conducting checkpoints, its most visible anti-crime operation. Indeed, the conduct of checkpoints is most welcome. And it has proven very effective in certain areas. But that is simply not enough in the fight against crime, especially when the checkpoints are very selective in their targets and are only after concealed weapons and drugs.
What is truly needed is the constant apprehension of petty criminals. Or, to a certain extent possible, maybe a little of the Davao experience might be worthwhile, not in the sense that killings are welcome but at least in creating the impression in the minds of would-be criminals that crime does not pay in Cebu City. There is a need to really get tough on criminals.
While petty crimes have become alarming, at least they have not created the illusion of helplessness and hopelessness. A reversal of the situation is still very possible. During the APEC meetings held in Cebu recently, it has been proven that police visibility can truly deter the commission of crime. Right now, police cars are made more visible by their new tack of constantly turning on their blinkers. More of them should be fielded, as well as law enforcers on foot.